Kangaroo (4 Stars)

"Kangaroo" is based on a true story, but the film is told as a comedy.

News anchor Chris Masterson is disgraced when he attempts to save a beached dolphin on live television, but unwittingly causes its death. He's fired from his job in Sydney, and he has to accept a lower paid job in western Australia. While driving to his new job his car hits and kills a kangaroo. He finds a baby kangaroo in the pouch and rescues it. The accident is witnessed by 10-year-old Charlie, who tells him that anyone who kills a kangaroo's mother is responsible for it, otherwise he'll suffer a curse.

Charlie is able to help Chris. Her grandfather is the only car mechanic in the nearby town Silver Gum, population 750. He also has a small cabin that Chris can stay in while his car is being repaired. It's derelict, but at least it's a roof over his head.

Charlie feels drawn to Chris, because her father has recently died. She's an outsider in school, spurned by the other children because of her love for kangaroos. It's soon apparent that she invented the curse to protect the kangaroo. Initially the town's residents reject Chris as a city man, but as the weeks go by waiting for his car to be repaired they begin to accept him. While Chris is waiting, Charlie brings more kangaroos to stay with him in the cabin

This is a touching story. I think I would have preferred it if it hadn't been a comedy, but I still enjoyed it. Due to my holidays, it was my first cinema visit for more than a month. It was a good return.

Today I watched the film dubbed into German. For some reason Charle's name was changed to Lily. That's strange.